Fair Market Price is an estimate of a “fair” price that any given new vehicle can be purchased for. This national estimate, updated monthly, reflects recent market conditions (supply and demand) plus a reasonable dealer markup.

There’s no getting around it, the ’15 Ford F-150 is a major game changer for the fullsize pickup segment. The most revolutionary aspect of the new pickup is its nearly all-aluminum body, the highest-volume implementation of aluminum in automotive history. But its non-ferrous body isn’t the only unique feature of the new truck. It also bucks convention in offering not one, but two turbo-GDI V-6 engines under the EcoBoost banner. Both engines are exceptionally powerful and responsive, but we’ve found fuel economy is highly dependent on driving style and usage. The F-150 also offers a number of clever features, including a remote-opening tailgate, LED lighting inside and out, and a cavernous rear seat on SuperCrew models. While the leaf-sprung F-150 can’t quite match the Ram 1500’s cushy ride, the tradeoff is higher payload and towing capacity, with the top-spec F-150 capable of towing more than 12,000 pounds.

Clean Burning and Locally Sourced

We are living in an era of change, and there’s no way around it. Everywhere you look people are trying to live greener. We’re more focused on saving money now than in generations past. And as a society, we have begun championing the cause of decreased dependence on foreign oil sources. Those are all good things, in and of themselves. However, it would seem that a lot of time and resources are being diverted into energy sources that are either highly expensive, give little return in the way of reducing environmental impact, or are still heavily dependent on foreign manufacturing. Fortunately, there is an alternative that’s been hiding in plain sight all these years.

Compressed natural gas (CNG) is cleaner burning than conventional gasoline or diesel, oftentimes costs significantly less—and the majority of what we use is sourced right here in North America. CNG-powered vehicles are nothing new. People have been converting internal-combustion engines to run on the fuel for decades, along with a select few manufacturers who have offered factory-installed systems (such as the Honda Civic CNG). The newest trend has become the bi-fuel option, which allows a vehicle to run on either gasoline or CNG. Fortunately for us, the largest market utilizing this technology is pickups. Currently, all three of the U.S. pickup manufacturers offer a CNG option, and we were recently handed the keys to two of them.

The ½-Ton Player
Ford has offered a gaseous engine prep package for the 6.2L V-8 engine equipped in the F-250 and F-350 for several years now. This allows upfitters to install either a CNG or propane (LPG) fuel package, along with being bi-fuel capable. The big news, however, comes from the ’14 F-150. Ford has entered the market as the only company with a ½-ton capable of running on CNG.

Ticking the box for the CNG option means you’ll be limited to the entry-level 3.7L V-6 engine. This mill churns out 302 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque and, unlike other models, doesn’t de-rate engine power when running on CNG. Enabling the engine to last while running on the gaseous fuel are a set of hardened intake valves and valve seats. The bi-fuel hardware is provided and installed by one of several Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifiers (QVMs)—in this case it was Altech-Eco.

During our time with the truck, we made it a point to burn multiple full tanks of both gasoline and CNG, for the best comparison. The biggest takeaway was that while the 3.7L V-6 has more horsepower than the previous generation 5.4L (302 versus 300), the lack of torque makes the truck feel very sluggish off the line and when passing. True to Ford’s word of not de-rating power output when huffing CNG, the engine’s power delivery felt no different between the two fuel sources. For light-duty work and mostly highway cruising, the powertrain is more than adequate. When comparing fuel economy, we were able to consistently best that of gasoline when running on CNG.

Switching between the two fuels is simple. The Altech-Eco kit comes with a switch (mounted near the headlight knob) and a CNG level gauge, which gets placed where the coin holder on the two-wheel-drive dash is located (the same spot as the transfer case selector knob on four-wheel-drive models). Flipping the switch from “GAS” to “ALT” puts the system into CNG mode, which is indicated by a green light on the switch (it sometimes takes a minute or two for the fuel system change to occur). The switch from one fuel to the other is seamless, only noticeable to the driver and occupants as a very slight change in engine sound. If the CNG tank should happen to run empty, the system automatically switches back to gasoline.

Overall, the Ford F-150 is a perfect candidate for the bi-fuel conversion. Fuel economy is excellent, giving a great return for the investment, and power is not affected by switching fuel sources. If you don’t need the size or capability of a ¾-ton in your CNG fleet, the F-150 is the perfect option.

The Heavy Hitter
Much like its competition, Chevrolet isn’t new to the CNG bi-fuel game. Fortunately for us, it has continued to offer the upfit on the new-body-style ’15 Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD (single-rear-wheel only). The bi-fuel HDs are equipped with a special version of the 6.0L V-8 gasoline engine, featuring hardened valves and seats. When running on old-fashioned 87-octane, the engine churns out 360 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. However, unlike the F-150, when the fuel source is switched to CNG, power output is reduced to 301 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque.

The biggest downside to running on natural gas with the Silverado is the reduction in power. On a truck as big and heavy as this, that 59 hp is dearly missed. However, we did notice the same phenomena as the Ford wherein fuel economy actually increased in real-world driving conditions while running on CNG—and quite significantly, we might add.

Integration of the activation switch and fuel level indication was the best we had seen. One of the instrument panel toggles serves as the fuel selector, and fuel level is indicated either in the digital information display or on the physical fuel gauge, depending on the mode. When in CNG mode, its level is displayed on the physical gauge while the gasoline level can be found in the DIC, and when running on gasoline, the gauges switch places.

GM uses members of its Tier-One supplier network to install the bi-fuel system on its prepped trucks. The work is done at a secondary location, and when complete, the vehicles are delivered by the dealer network to the customer, as would be the case with any truck. Also, all the major CNG components carry GM part numbers, making replacements available through the GM dealer network parts departments.

If you need a big CNG truck that can do work, this is it. Whether running on CNG or gasoline, its conventional tow rating is unaffected and remains 13,000 pounds (when the 4.10 gear ratio is selected). Combine this with the excellent fuel economy and superb integration, and you’ve got an instant winner.

The Downside
Not everything about CNG is rosy. For starters, the tanks are quite bulky, taking up about half of the pickup’s bed space (precluding fifth-wheel and gooseneck towing). This is true for all current models. In the future, underbed storage may become a reality, but for now, we must deal with the lost bed space. Then there’s the matter of fueling. While more mainstream than any of the other alternative fuels, CNG is still relatively hard to come by. Stations are often hidden in dark industrial alleys, well off the beaten path. If you do happen to find a good filling station, there’s always the chance the pump will either not work or give an incomplete (lower pressure) fill. We found this to be the case about 50 percent of the time. And if you’re outside of a well-populated urban area, all bets are off.

We can’t forget about the cost, either. While CNG typically runs between $1 and $2 a gasoline-gallon-equivalent (GGE) less than regular unleaded (depending on the cost of gas at the moment), the conversions themselves are very expensive. The trucks need to remain in service—racking up hundreds of thousands of miles—to see the initial purchase price recouped. This solution is definitely not intended for lighter-duty consumers.

It’s our opinion that CNG usage is only going to expand in the coming years, and it just might be the internal combustion fuel of choice in the future. However, we’re easily half a century away from having the infrastructure in place for this to become a reality.

Ford initialy tap-dancing around the availability of the EcoBoost in the shorty F-150, we have it now in the form of the 2014 F-150 Tremor, just one model year before the truck is going to be replaced with an all-new aluminum-bodied model.

It is becoming more and more difficult to get that ideal “stripped truck” perfect for work and customizing. In this 2014 "Cheap" Truck Roundup, we investigate which new fullsize truck is ideal for customizing.

To demonstrate the potent performance potential of the Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 package relative to a stock Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, the company released this video showing the two taking it to the track for a good old-fashioned straight-line throwdown.

The Ford SVT Raptor is one of the most extreme off-road trucks to ever come from the factory. But, when it comes to the SEMA Show and Las Vegas -- which happens to take place there early next month -- stock doesn't cut it.

The Ford F-150 EcoBoost is EPA rated at 22 mpg hwy/16 mpg city, which is impressive for the 3.5-liter 365-hp truck, but even more impressive is the winner of the Ford F-150 EcoBoost challenge, who achieved an average of 28.3 mpg throughout a week with an F-150.

In July, V-6-equipped F-150 models outsold V-8s for the third consecutive month. EcoBoost V-6 models made up 40 percent of all F-150 models sold, while base models with 3.7-liter V-6s accounted for 16 percent.

Sales of Ford and Lincoln autos continue to rise: in year-over-year sales, numbers are up 8.9 percent for the month of July and 11.8 percent in year-to-date. Surprisingly, the numbers gains were evenly split between cars and trucks.

Considered a controversial and potentially risky move when it was first announced, Ford's gamble on the EcoBoost V-6 has paid off handsomely, to the tune of 41 percent of F-150 sales through the middle of July. Adding the base, normally-aspirated 3.7L V-6 to the mix pushes the total V-6 mix to

Ford Motor Company saw a 14 percent growth during June compared to the previous year. Ford/Lincoln sales totaled 194,114 vehicles. Good news indeed for the U.S.'s number two automaker whose sales were flat in May.

Safety tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reveal that the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150 are the only two full-size trucks that qualify for the organization's Top Safety Pick in 2011.

Big sales could mean big recalls for Ford’s best-selling F-150 pickup truck; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into a corrosion issue on the metal straps holding up the fuel tank of 2.7 million of the trucks form 1997-2001.

Ford announced that its year-over-year sales for May are up 22 percent from 2009, marking the sixth straight month that the automaker has posted sales gains of over 20 percent. In April, Ford posted a year-over-year gain of 25 percent.

The sheer number of configurable combinations in the full-size truck segment can be mind-boggling. Cab design, engine, transmission, axle ratio, bed length, and option packages can all be custom-suited to consumer needs, so it comes with little surprise that the 2010 Ford F-150 arrives with a laundr

This is the most varied (and largest) pickup-truck segment, making the choice of best in class one of the most difficult. We had to pick from compact, midsize, and full-size trucks, including some based on SUV platforms.

Like cross town rival General Motors, Ford Motor Company has recorded a jump in sales for February. More specifically, the Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury brands are up 43 percent versus the same time last year.

It was a dark and stormy night. Seriously, it really was, making it a very good thing that the 2009 F-150 we were using to tow some 5000 pounds of stuff from SoCal to the southern tip of the Rockies was far more surefooted than we’d expected.

11 Months and 20,016 Miles - "I hauled our long term Ford F-150 out to Diamond Bar to pick up a pair of couches last night," says associate Web producer Scott Evans, "and came away with mixed impressions."

Our Last Two Trucks of the Year. One Winner: Two years ago, Toyota began its own slow rearrangement of the truck world's continents with the introduction of the new Tundra. Twelve months later, a comprehensive round of improvements elevated the latest Ford F-150 past the interesting new Dodge Ram to

We previously reported on the introduction of the Ford Heroes F-150 Contest last month, and now we've learned that the winner of the contest will be announced in June, with the extreme makeover project tabbed for completion in the late summer.

Common sense seemed to dictate that consumers would run from trucks and SUVs to cheaper, more fuel-efficient cars and crossovers. But did they? The numbers would seem to indicate that was not the case. Take, for example, the Top 10 Best Selling Vehicles in 2008 in the U.S. Four of the top ten were t

There are days I lament the passing of The Ford Lightning is gone, but Muscle Trucks still live! -- Ford's very serious muscle truck, the Lightning. SVT's supercharged F-150 could spark up a smile as easily as it melted through tire tread.

An ominous pall of white smoke drifts across the frontage road. Our new Harley-Davidson SuperCrew Saleen F-150 rolls out of the plume of drag-racer's incense, and we're sure we just embedded another 500 miles of the Pirelli Scorpion Zero's tread life in the pavement.

Ford probably knows the F-150 has possibly seen its last year as the best-selling vehicle in the U.S., but there's no reason the company can't protect its title as the best-selling pickup truck in the U.S. Helping out on this front is Ford's employee pricing program for the month of June.

At Ford's recent Dealer Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, dealer sources attending the event revealed what they've seen and heard about the Raptor--and it sounds like the Raptor won't be an urban legend for much longer.

Another F-150 permutation before the 2009 makes its debut -- You can't blame them for trying. With the mostly new and improved 2009 F-150 just around the corner, Ford is trying to squeeze everything it can out of the current F-150, and that means special packages.

Roush Performance has recently began taking orders for its fleet oriented, propane-powered Ford F-150 trucks that are said to not only match power levels of gasoline models, but will also allow owners to receive government tax breaks.

For six decades, F-Series trucks have set the standard in strength, durability and toughness. Ford pioneered the pickup, gave it the first V-8 engine and Crew Cab and went on to create a brand that has been the truck sales leader for 30 years.

It doesn't happen very often -- two manufacturers coming out with a new truck at exactly the same time. It almost seems manufacturers make sure they don't come to market at the same time to get the maximum amount of attention.

What is it about 450-horse F-150s lately? First Saleen comes out with the new S331 Sport Truck, then Roush announces the Stage 3 Nitemare, and finally Ford is giving Chip Foose a chance to paint on the F-150 canvas with his own 450-horse version.

Mike Rowe, host of Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs," stars in two new Ford F-150 ads showcasing the truck's continuing leadership in safety, strength and capability. New ads also feature two Ford engineers who put the Ford F-150 to the test every day.

It's not every day two heavyweight fighters announce their supremacy at the same time. And when those contenders are vehicles backed by some of the biggest private-label names in the auto industry, high-performance truck lovers come out the real winners.

Big sales could mean big recalls for Ford’s best-selling F-150 pickup truck; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into a corrosion issue on the metal straps holding up the fuel tank of 2.7 million of the trucks form 1997-2001.

Ford F-150 trucks from the 2004-2006 model years are being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as a result of unexpected driver's side airbag deployment that have caused more than 60 injuries.

It's a terrible scenario, one that happens all the time. Imagine lugging two large dog crates in the back of your brand-new pickup for a few hours and, by the time you get home, you discover the bed's paint is worn completely through.

Ford forged a special alliance with Harley - Davidson in 1999, and they've offered a special truck every year since. This year the brash black-on-black 2006 Ford F150 Harley Davidson package comes with all-wheel drive, a first for the F-150.

Ford may be able to keep secret the location of F-150 development mules that might be running around with the Baby Power Stroke 4.5-liter turbodiesel V-6 under the hood, but you can already buy one of these engines at many Ford dealers--in commercial-duty LCF (low cab forward) cargo haulers.

From show floor to showroom, these are the most promising new models. The new model year is upon us, bringing the darlings of the last auto show season to our local dealers and driveways. The dominant themes are fun and versatility, often taken together.

New Year kicks off with hot new production models and concepts unveiled in Motor City, including the Chevrolet SS, Dodge Durango, Ford Mustang GT, Ford F-150, Subaru WRX STi, and Toyota FJ. Expanded coverage includes videos and "zooms"

Ford F-150 trucks from the 2004-2006 model years are being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as a result of unexpected driver's side airbag deployment that have caused more than 60 injuries.

While much attention is justifiably given to engine, brakes, and suspension when assessing a vehicle's dynamics, the most crucial safety and performance component is the tires. Afterall, the rubber at all four corners is the only part of the vehicle that touches the ground.

Call it a toy. Call it wild and crazy. But don't even think about calling it slow or boring. We're talking about one of the most monstrous small pickups we've ever driven: the Ford SVT Lightning Bolt Ranger prototype.

Ford F-150 trucks from the 2004-2006 model years are being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as a result of unexpected driver's side airbag deployment that have caused more than 60 injuries.

Ford's best-selling vehicle in the last decade or two has been its evergreen F-150 pickup that, in between boxy generations had a smooth, almost sleek profile. Take a look at this preowned guide for the 1997-2004 Ford F-150 trucks!

Rumors now that both Nissan and Toyota are offering four-door fullsize trucks in North America, it's only a matter of time before one (or both) of them comes to market with a diesel engine option. More news inside Diesel Power Magazine.

The Baddest Small Block Ever Produced From its inception 50 years ago, GM's small-block V-8 has been a mainstay and favorite of the performance world. Nothing, however, in the production history of this respected eight-cylinder icon comes close to matching t

Positive comments abound about our 2004 Truck of the Year winner: "I'm still amazed how Ford has been able to civilize the full-size-pickup driving experience without compromising its work ethic. Brakes, steering, structure, and damping set the bar for others." But we have a bone to pick with Ford f

Ford's best-selling vehicle in the last decade or two has been its evergreen F-150 pickup that, in between boxy generations had a smooth, almost sleek profile. Take a look at this preowned guide for the 1997-2004 Ford F-150 trucks!

Like most truck fans, jonathan rascoe of spring, texas, is very devoted to the sport. He is so hardcore that he proposed to his girlfriend, april, in the feature of his '03 ford supercrew that ran in our oct. '06 issue. The proposal worked by catching her tota

Ford's best-selling vehicle in the last decade or two has been its evergreen F-150 pickup that, in between boxy generations had a smooth, almost sleek profile. Take a look at this preowned guide for the 1997-2004 Ford F-150 trucks!

A bad-boy, leather-and-chrome persona is a big part of the Harley-Davidson lifestyle. The limited-edition H-D SuperCrew represents yet another way to get into it, without pesky altercations with law enforcement or visits to a tattoo parlor.

Ford's best-selling vehicle in the last decade or two has been its evergreen F-150 pickup that, in between boxy generations had a smooth, almost sleek profile. Take a look at this preowned guide for the 1997-2004 Ford F-150 trucks!

Ford's best-selling vehicle in the last decade or two has been its evergreen F-150 pickup that, in between boxy generations had a smooth, almost sleek profile. Take a look at this preowned guide for the 1997-2004 Ford F-150 trucks!

Ford's best-selling vehicle in the last decade or two has been its evergreen F-150 pickup that, in between boxy generations had a smooth, almost sleek profile. Take a look at this preowned guide for the 1997-2004 Ford F-150 trucks!

'95 Honda Odyssey LX Honda's entry into the minivan fray, the Odyssey, is the latest addition to our long-term vehicle pool. We ordered the six-passenger LX model, which comes equipped with a long list of desirable features, such as front/rear air conditioning, power windows/mirrors/doors, four-spea

1992 Ford F-150

With 246,000 miles and still running like a top, I don't know when I will need to replace it, but I do see that it will be hard to find another regular cab four-wheel-drive truck that I can use without worrying about scratches and dents.